Process for indicating shading and coloring in the production of pictures.



H. O. R. CHOWDER.

PROCESS FOR INDICATING SHADING AND COLORING IN THE PRODUCTION OF PICTUREIS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 31, [914.

1,1 75,6 1 4t. Patented Man, 14, 1916.

IVITNESSES: I LVVENTOR.

option.

HAVY Q. R. CROWDER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PROCESS FOR INDICATING SHADING AND COLORING IN THE PRODUCTION OF PICTURES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14%, 1916.

Application filed October 31, 1914. Serial No. 869,673.-

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HAVY Q. R. CROWDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Process for Indicating Shading and Coloring in the Production of Pictures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates primarily to the commercial production of color prints and has for its object to afford a simple, inexpensive, cleanly and expeditious process whereby the artist may prepare for the photo-engraver a set of diagrams indicating the disposition and shading of various colors with respect to the original sketch.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the different views, Figure 1 is a perspective depicting the relation of three of the four elements employed in carrying out the process, the fourth element to be hereinafter mentioned; and Fig. 2, a perspective of the diagram produced by the process.

In the practice of this invention the artist, having produced the pen and ink drawing denoted by numeral 1 which it is desired to print or lithograph in colors, first lays thereover a piece of tissue or other transparent paper, denoted by numeral 2, and spreads upon the upper surface thereof a small quantity of powdered magnesia, talc powder, chalk, or other substance adapted to absorb moisture. These steps having been taken, the artist next places over the tissue a piece of the transparent paper denoted by numeral 3, the underlying surface of which has previously been completely covered with innumerable finely separated dots or dashes 4: formed of a composition of heavy ink, glycerin and wax, whereby the said dots or dashes have considerable body and remain moist until the paper is used. The underlying drawing being thus visible, the artist will next proceed to inclicate upon said tissue all the portions of said drawing which are to be printed in shades of red and this he will accomplish by reciprocating the point of a pencil or stylus across the exposed surface of paper 3 within the boundaries of the particular area (for example, the hair, the face, the dress or the hands) which are to be so colored, the pressure of the pencil or stylus serving to transfer the dots or dashes over which it moves to the underlying tissue. All of the portions of the drawing to be reproduced in shades of red having thus been indicated, the tissue (now bearing a pattern like that shown in Fig. 2) is removed, the word Red is written thereupon and it is laid aside for the moment; whereupon a fresh piece of tissue is laid over the drawing and the above described process repeated with respect to all of the portions of the drawing which are to be reproduced in shades of green (or yellow, blue, brown, violet, etc., as the case may be) each piece of tissue being marked with the name of the color desired. Finally these sheets of tissue are all sent to the photo-engraver for his guidance in preparing the several necessary plates from which the colors will be printed. The use of magnesia, or other like substances, is important for the purpose of forming a film over the tissue to prevent the weight of the artists hand or arm from disposing thereon any dots or dashes except those desired and which, as above stated, are transferred by means of the pressure of his pencil or stylus; the'magnesia further serving to dry the dots or dashes which are intentionally disposed upon the tissue so that the latter may be handled without danger of smearing.

Under certain conditions, especially in newspaper work, it is sometimes found desirable to dispose a background or shading directly upon the picture to be reproduced. In such cases the employment of the tissue sheet is dispensed with and the drying powder is distributed upon the picture, the pattern paper 3 being then placed in position and used in the manner above described to produce the desired background or shading.

While I have herein referred to the employment of an inky composition for the formation of the dots and dashes, which are transferred from the upper sheet of pa per to the tissue or directly to the original drawing as the case may be, yet it will be understood that I am not particularly concerned with the precise composition employed for this purpose and that I may employ any substance or composition found suitable; nor do I propose to limit myself to the use of dots and dashes as it will be appreciated that many other patterns may be found desirable.

I Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. The method of indicating shading and colors in the production of pictures which comprises the production of a set of diagrams indicative of the several colors desired in the finished picture by disposing a piece of transparent material over the keydrawing; next disposing over said material 2. The method of indicating shading and colors in the production of pictures which comprises the disposition of a piece of transparent material overthe picture to be revproduced; next distributing upon said material a quantity of powder adapted to absorb moisture; next disposing over said material a piece of transparent paper Whose under surface is inked with a pattern of dots, dashes or the like, maintained in substantially moist condition; and finally indicating upon said material the portions of said picture which are to be reproduced by reciprocating the point of a pencil or stylus across the upper surface of said paper within the boundaries of the areas defined upon the picture, whereby said pattern is transferred to said material.

HAVY Q. R. CROWDER. Witnesses:

ANNA E. BRooK EIER, W. KEANE'SMALL. 

